How to go Horseback Riding in Monument Valley
“There I was, wind flying through my hair as we cantered closer towards the impressive buttes which were lit up bright orange from the setting sun.
I knew right then and there that what I was experiencing was like something out of a movie. This was a moment I would never EVER forget.”
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Monument Valley is a place literally straight out of the movies and horse riding there was one of the most unforgettable experiences we’ve had in the American Southwest. Riding through the iconic red desert landscape with Navajo guides genuinely felt like stepping into an old western movie.
If you’re deciding whether it’s worth booking a horseback riding tour in Monument Valley, the answer is 100% yes, especially at sunset when the buttes glow orange and red.
After researching the different options, we booked our ride with Sacred Monument Tours and absolutely loved the experience.
This guide has everything you need to know about going Horseback Riding in Monument Valley, including what to expect on the ride, how to book and what our experience was like.
The Best Horseback Riding Tour in Monument Valley: Our Experience
Booking a sunset horseback ride through Monument Valley ended up being one of the highlights of our entire Southwest road trip. We chose a sunset tour with Sacred Monument Tours and honestly felt like we’d stepped onto the set of a Western movie.
As we rode through the desert surrounded by the iconic red buttes, the entire landscape started glowing orange and red in the evening light. Since Dave had never ridden a horse before, we were a little nervous at first, but the horses were incredibly calm and beginner-friendly.
The best part was reaching a stunning viewpoint just before sunset where our Navajo guide helped us take photos while the sun lit up Monument Valley behind us. It genuinely felt surreal.
Our exact sunset tour at a glance
Duration: 2 hours (arrive 30 minutes early)
Cost: USD180 per person
Best time to go: Sunset – pick the latest possible booking time
Group size: Small group tour with a maximum of 4 people
Highlights: West And East Mitten Buttes, Merrick Butte, Sentinel Mesa
Guide: Local English-speaking Navajo guide
How to book:👉 Check availability and book here.
Why I Think the Sunset Horseback Ride Is Worth It
Horseback riding in Monument Valley is one of those experiences that I will never ever forget. Riding through the desert as the sun started setting behind the famous buttes felt unreal and easily became one of the most memorable things we did while on our road trip.
If you’re debating whether or not to book a horseback riding tour in Monument Valley, I would absolutely recommend doing it, especially at sunset. Watching the landscape light up in deep orange and red tones while riding through the valley honestly felt cinematic.
We also loved how peaceful the experience felt compared to exploring Monument Valley by car. Being on horseback made the entire experience feel far more immersive and authentic.
Sunset tour times are the most popular and often book out first, so I’d recommend reserving your spot in advance.
Is Horseback Riding in Monument Valley Beginner-Friendly?
Yes! Dave had never ridden a horse before this experience and still absolutely loved it.
The horses we were given were calm and very used to doing the loop that we did so they mostly just followed each other. For a beginner rider like Dave, this made the entire experience stress free.
We were actually the only people on our tour, which made the experience feel even more special and gave us extra time for photos at sunset.
Who This Monument Valley Horseback Riding Tour Is Best For
This horseback riding tour in Monument Valley is a great fit for a wide range of travellers, especially if you’re looking for a more unique and immersive way to experience the valley beyond simply driving the scenic loop.
I’d especially recommend this tour for:
- Beginner riders looking for a safe and relaxed first horseback riding experience
- Couples wanting a memorable sunset activity in Monument Valley
- Photographers hoping to capture the famous buttes from a more unique perspective
- Western movie lovers who want to experience Monument Valley in a way that genuinely feels cinematic
- Adventure travellers wanting to add something different to their Southwest road trip itinerary
- People visiting Monument Valley for the first time who want a more authentic and guided experience
- Anyone looking for a bucket list experience in the American Southwest
Because the horses are calm and the guides adjust the pace based on your comfort level, this tour works well even if you’ve never ridden a horse before.
That said, if you’re looking for a fast paced or advanced horseback riding experience with lots of galloping, this may not be the best fit since the tours are designed to be scenic and beginner friendly.
👉 Ready to experience Monument Valley on horseback? Check availability for the sunset horseback riding tour here.
Things to Know Before Your Monument Valley Horseback Ride
Before booking your horseback riding tour in Monument Valley, here are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early
- Bring water, especially in summer
- Layers are helpful for sunset rides – the desert cools down quickly once the sun goes down.
- Monument Valley entrance fees are separate from the tour cost
- Sunset tours book out fastest
- Enclosed shoes are recommended
- Don’t forget your camera!
- Wear sunscreen
Overnight Horseback Riding in Monument Valley
If you are looking for a longer adventure, Mild to Wild Backcountry Horse Adventures offer 4-5 day backcountry riding and camping trips.
One thing I really like about this company is that non-riders can still join the experience by booking hiking or vehicle tour options instead.
Mild to Wild only offers a few backcountry tours per year so if this is something that you are dying to do, you will need to plan your trip dates around the available tours on their website.
Our Full Experience Horseback Riding in Monument Valley
When I decided that I wanted to go horseback riding in Monument Valley, I knew I wanted to do it at sunset for the best possible scenery and photos. We ended up booking a sunset ride with Sacred Monument Tours and it completely exceeded our expectations.
📷 Photography Tip: Double-check that your camera or phone lens is clean before your ride. We accidentally brought a GoPro with a scratched lens and were devastated when we realised many of our photos turned out blurry after such an incredible experience!
Our instructions were to meet the guides in the Monument Valley Visitor Center parking lot. From there, we were driven down a dirt road to the stables where we met our horses and got ready for the ride.
You’ll also need to pay for entrance to Monument Valley which is currently $15 per vehicle. You’ll pay this upon entry to the park.
Once we arrived at the stables, we were shown how to mount the horses and the staff adjusted our stirrups before we headed out into the valley. We were also able to leave our backpacks safely at the stable office and just bring our camera with us for the ride.
One thing that surprised us was that Dave and I ended up being the only people on the tour. It felt almost like having a private horseback riding experience, and our guide spent extra time helping us with photos and teaching us a few riding tips along the way.
We started at a slow pace, riding through the desert while taking in the incredible scenery. Even though Dave had never ridden a horse before, he quickly became comfortable enough to try cantering for part of the ride, which he absolutely loved. That said, you definitely don’t need to canter if you don’t want to. The guides tailor the experience to your comfort level.
As sunset approached, our guide took us to the most incredible viewpoint overlooking Monument Valley. Watching the sun light up the famous buttes while sitting on horseback made us feel like we were in a Western movie.
By the time we rode back to the stables, we both agreed it had been one of the most unique experiences of our entire trip through the Southwest.
Note: We weren’t offered helmets, however the tours today say helmets are provided. If you would like a helmet, make sure you ask for one when you get there.
Where to stay in Monument Valley
There are a few unique places that you can stay within Monument Valley itself. You can use the map below to find your own accommodation or check out my recommendations below.
Budget: San Juan Inn – This is where we stayed and it was so lovely. It was just a simple motel but there was a beautiful river next to the hotel with loads of cute horses and donkeys!
Moderate: The View Hotel – This is the only hotel located inside Monument Valley Tribal Park. Each room as a balcony with incredible views of the formations of Monument Valley and there is also a restaurant with panoramic views which is perfect for watching the sunrise and sunset from.
Luxury: Goulding’s Lodge – not too much more expensive that The View and personally I would probably choose this over the View Hotel because it still has incredible views of Monument Valley and honestly just looks really really cool!
Our Thoughts
Horseback riding in Monument Valley ended up being one of our favourite experiences from our entire Utah and Southwest road trip. Seeing the famous red buttes from horseback at sunset felt incredibly unique and gave us a completely different perspective of Monument Valley compared to simply driving through it.
If you’re deciding whether or not to book a Monument Valley horseback riding tour, I’d absolutely recommend doing it, especially if you can book a sunset ride. Between the peaceful desert scenery, the Navajo guides, and the unreal sunset views, it genuinely felt like stepping into a Western movie.
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